Chapter 393: Love and Career (Part 1)
Seeing her sister lose her composure, Qiao Yueran quickly said to the maid standing at the dining room entrance:
"Wang Ma, please get another pair of clean chopsticks for my sister."
"Yes, Second Miss."
Qiao Yueran then turned to Qiao Weigong:
"Dad, sister just met that Boss Cao—are you really going to arrange their marriage so quickly?"
Qiao Weigong first slightly furrowed his white brows, glanced at his somewhat distracted eldest daughter, then said to his younger daughter:
"A wealthy bachelor like Cao Pingao, in his early thirties with billions in assets, is being eyed by countless people across Jiang City.
If I don't urge your sister to go on a blind date with him quickly and finalize their engagement soon, he might be snatched up by an unmarried young lady from another family after the New Year."
After speaking, he turned back to his eldest daughter: "Yunran, Dad is doing this for your own good. For you, Cao Pingao is a much better match than Sun Feng—"
"Dad! I don't want to marry Cao Pingao, I like Sun Feng." Qiao Yunran's tears welled up, and she spoke, her face streaked with tears.
Qiao Yueran, sitting opposite her, also helped to say: "Dad, Sun Feng is Sun Dajian's son after all. Wouldn't sister being with him be more beneficial for our family's cooperation with the Sun family's Dongwu Group?"
Qiao Weigong sighed, his white brows tightly furrowed, and said: "If only Sun Dajian genuinely wanted to cooperate with me.
After several rounds of negotiations, I've realized that Sun Dajian only wants to use our Jinqiao Group as a springboard to smoothly enter the Jiang City market with his Dongwu Group.
To prevent our Qiao family's business from being swallowed by this powerful external enemy, I, your father, must quickly find a helper who has sufficient strength and is willing to resist the Dongwu Group with us—
And Cao Pingao, who is still unmarried, perfectly fits this requirement, provided that he must be deeply bound to our Qiao family."
After hearing their father's words, Big Qiao and Little Qiao, the two sisters, fell silent simultaneously.
At this moment, Qiao Weigong reached out and held his eldest daughter's small hand, saying earnestly:
"Yunran, Dad knows that you and Sun Feng have been old classmates for many years, and he knows that you truly like him in your heart right now.
However, our Qiao family and the Sun family are very likely to become adversaries soon. What will you do then?
So, you should listen to Dad and break up with him early."
Qiao Yunran couldn't refute her father's words, but the many years of feelings she had for Sun Feng couldn't be simply let go:
"Dad, if I can get Sun Feng to find a way to facilitate the cooperation between the Qiao and Sun families, will you then agree to let me be with him?"
"Naive!"
Qiao Weigong shook his head helplessly: "He's an illegitimate son with no say in the Sun family; what makes you think he can influence Sun Dajian's decisions?"
Seeing that Qiao Yunran still harbored fantasies about Sun Feng, Qiao Weigong directly called for the family butler:
"Zhou Fu, during this period, whenever Eldest Miss goes out, she must be accompanied by a driver and Bodyguards. She is not allowed to meet that Sun Feng again."
Zhou Fu lowered his gaze and bowed slightly: "Understood, Chairman."
---Later that evening, in Big Qiao's boudoir on the second floor.
Her younger sister, Qiao Yueran, leaned against the headboard, embracing her tearful and heartbroken sister, Qiao Yunran, stroking her head and comforting her:
"Sister, don't cry anymore—if our family absolutely has to ally with that Cao Pingao, then let me marry him in your place."
"No!" Qiao Yunran suddenly sat up from her sister's embrace, sniffing as she said, "Yueran, I can't let you marry someone you don't like for my sake and sacrifice your lifelong happiness."
Little Qiao reached out and wiped the tears from her sister's eyes, saying: "Then what about you and Sun Feng? You two have waited for each other for so many years; can you really let go of him?"
Qiao Yunran raised her hand to cover her sister's small hand on her face, forcing out a tearful smile:
"If he can't find a way to make our Qiao family and their Sun family cooperate, then it means we are fated not to be together—I will also listen to Dad and marry that Cao Pingao."
"Sister~" Looking at Qiao Yunran, who was feigning strength, Qiao Yueran's eyes also couldn't help but well up.
At the same time, she secretly vowed in her heart to do everything in her power to make her sister happy, even if it meant "sacrificing" herself.
---Three days later, Jiangcheng Tianhe Airport.
Sun Feng, looking serious, dragged his suitcase and walked out of the arrival gate alone.
Having just flown back to Jiang City from Jianye, he had been appointed General Manager of the Dongwu Group's Jiang City branch by Sun Dajian, and was fully responsible for the cooperation negotiations between their group and Jinqiao Group.
However, he, who had finally gained his father's trust, couldn't be happy at all—
Because his ostensible mission was to represent the Dongwu Group and continue friendly cooperation talks with Jinqiao Group.
But his actual mission was to find ways to stabilize Qiao Weigong, buy time, so that Sun Dajian could prepare enough funds and resources to swallow Jinqiao Group in one go, then seize the opportunity to enter the Jiang City market and expand the Dongwu Group's business empire!
Sun Feng knew very well: the day he successfully backstabbed Qiao Weigong and truly gained his father Sun Dajian's trust would also be the day he completely lost his white moonlight.
Love or career, Sun Feng struggled for a long time before finally choosing the latter.
---Sun Feng walked out of the airport terminal, got into the mercedes-maybach sent by the company to pick him up, then took out his phone and called Qiao Yunran:
"Yunran, I'm back in Jiang City. Let's have dinner tonight.
What? Your dad won't let us meet anymore?
Mm, mm, oh, Uncle Qiao misunderstood my dad's intentions. I came back from Jianye this time specifically to fully promote the business cooperation between our two companies.
Yes, Yunran, don't worry, as long as Uncle Qiao and I sit down and have a good talk, all misunderstandings will be resolved.
Alright then, I'll go find your dad first thing tomorrow morning—I miss you too. You get some good rest and just wait for my good news."
---Donghu Bay Building A, first-floor lobby.
Qiao Yueran, who had just finished her sister's call, did not believe Sun Feng's words as readily as her sister did.
Because compared to Big Qiao, who was currently in the thick of it and somewhat lovesick, Little Qiao, who truly inherited her father Qiao Weigong's business acumen, keenly caught the abnormality:
My dad just prepared to find new allies, and Sun Feng, returning from Jianye, immediately expressed his desire to promote cooperation between our two families—isn't that a bit too coincidental?
No matter what, I still need to continue trying to build a good relationship with Cao Pingao.
Qiao Yueran, who had specifically applied delicate, girlish makeup today and wore a light green Chanel short dress, walked up to the Front Desk on the first floor and said to the Front Desk Young Lady standing inside:
"Hello, I'm looking for your Boss Cao."
The Front Desk Young Lady's eyes widened, and she asked, somewhat surprised: "Boss Cao? Miss, are you saying you're looking for our group's Chairman?"
Qiao Yueran calmly nodded: "Yes."
Front Desk Young Lady: "Miss, do you have an appointment, please?"
Qiao Yueran calmly shook her head again: "No, just tell him 'Qiao Yueran' is here to see him, and he will make time for me."
Normally, if she encountered someone who wanted to see the group's Chairman without an appointment, the Front Desk Young Lady would definitely call security to escort them out.
But beauty is justice.
Facing the elegant and finely made-up beauty, Qiao Yueran, the Front Desk Young Lady hesitated for only a few seconds before picking up the desk phone and calling the Chairmans Secretary Office on the 40th floor.
Qian Jia, who received the call from the first-floor Front Desk, immediately used the internal phone to call the Chairmans Office inside.
At this moment, in the Chairmans Office, Boss Cao was embracing Wang Hui's slender waist, who was only wearing a white shirt, and together they were wiping the glass in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.
After hearing the desk phone ring, he moved with his female secretary to the desk and picked up the phone:
"Hello? What is it, Jiajia? I'm busy.
Who? Qiao Yueran? Let her up."
Cao Pingao was about to hang up the phone, but then brought the receiver back to his ear and added:
"Jiajia, call Fan Binbin and tell her to come upstairs to receive Miss Qiao."
//394//
Chapter 394: Little Qiao's Decision (Part One)
After finishing the call, Cao Pingao held Wang Hui and sat back down in his boss chair.
The female secretary, whose cheeks were flushed, bit her lower lip and, being very sensible, demonstrated a moving, tumultuous painting right in front of Boss Cao.
After a quick storm.
The familiar system notification sound rang in Cao Pingao's ear:
[multiple birth badge (Gold) has successfully taken effect]
[Breeding target Wang Hui has successfully achieved natural conception. The system rewards a prenatal care fee of 40 million yuan (double reward for twins)]
[When the twins are born healthy, the many sons, many blessings system will reward 400 million yuan (double reward)]
[Skill Reward: multiple birth badge (Bronze)]
[Possessing multiple birth badges of different levels will strengthen the host's chance of having multiple births to varying degrees.]
[Bronze Badge: Multiple birth rate increased by 5%]
[Silver Badge: Multiple birth rate increased by 10%]
[Gold Badge: Multiple birth rate increased by 20%]
[Legendary Badge: Multiple birth rate increased by 30%]
[When the baby is born healthy, the multiple birth badge will automatically upgrade by one level.]
[Random Reward: 4 great tonic strengthening pills]
Whoa, twins again!
Cao Pingao, feeling pleased, stroked Wang Hui's smooth back and asked:
"Xiao Hui, you were with Li Gui for quite a while before, so why didn't the two of you have any children?"
Wang Hui paused for a moment, then answered truthfully, "Old Li was too wild in his youth, and by the time he married me, his body wasn't really up to it anymore."
"So that's how it is." Cao Pingao reached out, pinched her cheek, and laughed, "Then Li Gui was right to let you be with me. We can't let you start living as a young widow, hahaha."
Wang Hui shyly rested her head on Cao Pingao's firm chest and said contentedly, "It was only after being with the Boss that I realized being a woman could be so enjoyable~"
---While Boss Cao and the female secretary were exchanging pleasantries, Fan Binbin, having received instructions, immediately put down her work and took the elevator from the 20th floor down to the reception desk in the first-floor lobby.
When the great beauty Fan Binbin—who had delicate makeup, long hair draped over her shoulders, wore a silk white shirt, a light grey hip-hugging skirt, ultra-thin black stockings on her beautiful legs, and black, red-soled high heels—saw Qiao Yueran, who had also dressed up carefully before leaving home that day, both were slightly surprised by the other's beauty—
Fan Binbin: When did Hubby hook up with another girl this pretty?
The key is that she's so young, probably only around 20... Sigh, the competition at home is truly getting fiercer.
Qiao Yueran: My goodness, this beauty's looks are on par with my sister's!
No wonder that Cao Pingao was so calm when facing This Young Lady last time. It turns out the Misses handling reception at his company are already this gorgeous... Fan Binbin showed a perfectly standard smile and simultaneously extended her fair, beautiful right hand:
"You must be Miss Qiao Yueran, Miss Qiao?"
Qiao Yueran also extended her fair, delicate right hand: "I am."
"Hello, Miss Qiao. My name is Fan Binbin.
Because the Chairman is currently in a meeting, he arranged for me to first show Miss Qiao around the company."
Qiao Yueran nodded gently: "Mm, alright."
Fan Binbin first made a "please" gesture, then led Qiao Yueran through the security turnstile in the lobby and to the elevator bank located in the center of the building:
"Miss Qiao, which subsidiary of Cao Wei Group would you like to visit first?"
Qiao Yueran said, "If possible, I'd like to see all of them."
Fan Binbin smiled and said, "No problem. Then we'll start from the bottom up and first visit the Cao Wei Real Estate showroom."
---While touring and chatting along the way, Qiao Yueran learned that Fan Binbin, who was accompanying her, was not a regular administrative staff member specializing in reception, but rather the General Manager of the Cao Wei Real Estate Marketing Department, overseeing hundreds of people.
"Manager Fan, you are so impressive! A woman, and so young, yet you've already reached middle-to-high management at Cao Wei Real Estate!"
Facing Qiao Yueran's sincere praise, Fan Binbin said with a smile:
"Miss Qiao, you flatter me. You might not know this, but we have quite a few young and outstanding female executives at Cao Wei Group.
Group CEO General Manager Chen, CFO General Manager Jian, and COO General Manager Shen are all women, and the oldest among them is only just 35 years old."
Qiao Yueran's beautiful eyes widened: "Really? A 35-year-old female CEO?"
Fan Binbin smiled and nodded: "Coincidentally, the person leading the group walking over there is General Manager Chen."
Qiao Yueran looked in the direction Fan Binbin pointed—
She saw an OL beauty with voluminous curly hair, sharp, phoenix-like eyes, wearing a dark purple silk shirt paired with black trousers. She had a full figure and a powerful aura, and she was walking toward them with a small group of people following her.
Fan Binbin quickly greeted Chen Shuting once she approached: "Hello, General Manager Chen~"
"Hello, Manager Fan." Chen Shuting stopped, looked at Qiao Yueran next to Fan Binbin, and said, "This must be the Second Young Lady of the Qiao Family?"
Qiao Yueran asked, slightly surprised, "Have we met before?"
Chen Shuting smiled and said, "No, but I had the pleasure of meeting Miss Qiao's older sister once. You two sisters look quite alike."
Qiao Yueran: "Oh, I see."
Fan Binbin, standing nearby, volunteered an explanation: "I'm currently showing Miss Qiao around our company."
"Mm, then you may continue."
After speaking, Chen Shuting took her people and went back to her work.
Watching Chen Shuting's retreating figure, Qiao Yueran, who had lacked maternal love since childhood, suddenly developed a unique fondness for her strong, maternal presence:
"If only I could be as capable as General Manager Chen when I turn 35, serving as the CEO of a group company~"
---Once the tour was mostly finished, Fan Binbin finally took Qiao Yueran up to the 40th floor via the elevator to meet Cao Pingao.
At this moment, Boss Cao was "just so happening" to be sitting on the large sofa in his office, discussing work with the great beauty Shen Qingyu.
Fan Binbin: "Chairman, I have brought Miss Qiao to you."
"Mm, good." Cao Pingao then smiled and said to Shen Qingyu, "General Manager Shen, let's proceed with the short drama investment plan before the New Year according to your proposal. If any issues arise during execution, we'll communicate again.
I need to attend to a guest first."
"Understood, Boss~"
Shen Qingyu closed her folder, stood up from the sofa, smiled and nodded slightly to Qiao Yueran, and then exited the office with Fan Binbin.
"Miss Qiao, please sit."
"Thank you."
Facing the confident Cao Pingao, Little Qiao, who had dressed up carefully before leaving home today, had long since lost the high spirits she had when she first set out.
"May I ask, Miss Qiao, what brings you to my company today?" Cao Pingao asked.
Qiao Yueran quickly composed herself and said, "I came to tour and inspect your company, as it is highly likely that your company will become a partner of our Jinqiao Group in the future."
Cao Pingao grinned and laughed, "And is Miss Qiao satisfied with her inspection?"
Qiao Yueran nodded gently: "I must say, Boss Cao, you certainly manage your company in an orderly fashion.
Furthermore, based on my observations, your employees are in excellent spirits and highly motivated.
I even randomly interviewed a few employees, and they all spoke highly of you as their boss—a situation my father would probably find hard to achieve."
Cao Pingao: "Hahahaha, thank you for the compliment, Miss Qiao."
Qiao Yueran pursed her lips, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Of course, besides deepening my understanding of Boss Cao, I have one more thing I want to discuss with you—
If our two companies are truly going to cooperate deeply, I hope to marry you instead of my sister, as a guarantee for the alliance between the two groups."
//395//
Chapter 395: Little Qiao's Decision (Part 2)
Cao Pingao was silent for a moment, looking at Qiao Yueran's delicate features and serious expression, then he said:
"It looks like Miss Qiao is serious this time."
"Of course, I'm serious."
Qiao Yueran slightly pouted her cherry lips and said, "This matter concerns the business my father has worked hard for most of his life, and it also concerns my sister's lifelong happiness. How could I possibly joke about it?"
Cao Pingao leaned back against the sofa, crossed his legs, and said with a smile:
"Miss Qiao, I admire your spirit of being willing to'sacrifice' yourself for your family, but this matter is not something I alone can decide."
Qiao Yueran quickly said, "As long as you don't object, I can handle things with my father."
Cao Pingao looked at her with a meaningful gaze for a moment, then chuckled, "I can agree to Miss Qiao's request, but I have my prerequisites."
"What conditions? Tell me."
"My condition is that the two of us must go on a few dates first to see if we are compatible."
Cao Pingao stroked his chin and chuckled, "If our personalities don't mesh, I feel it might be better to choose your sister. She is clearly gentler than you."
"You—"
Qiao Yueran's pretty face flushed with anger: "Where did you get the idea that I'm not gentle?"
Cao Pingao laughed, "I didn't say you weren't gentle, just that your sister gives me a gentler feeling.
Moreover, she is a folk music teacher at the Jiangcheng Conservatory of Music. If I marry her, I can have her play the Guqin and Dizi for me at home. How comfortable would life be then?"
Qiao Yueran pouted even higher: "Hmph, I can play the Guqin and Dizi too.
I learned various instruments with my sister since childhood, but my interest in music was only average, so I enrolled in a Business Administration major for university."
"Oh? You majored in Business Administration?" Cao Pingao chuckled, "Are you preparing to take over your father's position?"
Qiao Yueran pouted again and gently shook her head: "I insisted on choosing the business major myself.
My father doesn't believe girls can manage a large company well. He originally wanted me to continue studying music, just like my sister."
"Hahahaha, it's normal for people from Boss Qiao's generation to have such views."
Cao Pingao smiled meaningfully, "After Miss Qiao graduates from university, if Jinqiao Group doesn't give you opportunities to grow, our Cao Wei Group will always welcome you with open arms."
Although Qiao Yueran felt a little happy hearing Cao Pingao say that, she still refused haughtily: "No need.
When should our dates start?"
"You're asking me?" Cao Pingao laughed, "Miss Qiao, you are the one who needs to win my favor, so the dating arrangements are naturally up to you."
Qiao Yueran felt both embarrassed and annoyed. She never thought she would one day need to actively ask a man 11 years her senior out on a date.
"Fine, then wait for my wechat message."
After speaking, the Second Miss of the Qiao family tossed her beautiful black long hair and walked straight out of Cao Pingao's office.
---Time quickly advanced to the end of October.
Inside the SVIP zone on the 3rd floor of St. Marys Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital.
With the help of her Best Friend Xu Bei, Xiao Ya successfully added another son to the Cao family.
[Congratulations, host, for gaining a biological son]
[The host has completed the Many Sons, Many Blessings mission. Mission reward: 100 million yuan]
[Skill Reward: Sharpshooter Badge (Bronze) has been upgraded to Sharpshooter Badge (Silver)]
[The host currently holds the Sharpshooter Badge (Gold): Hit rate increased by 80%]
[Random Reward: 2 great tonic strengthening pills]
Inside the luxury single room.
Xiao Ya, looking a bit tired, lay sideways on the bed, looking with doting eyes at the infant lying in the crook of her arm:
"Husband~ What should we name our son?"
Cao Pingao, sitting by the bed, said proudly, "Call him Cao Zheng, the 'Zheng' from upright and honest (Zheng da guang ming)."
"Cao Zheng~ Little Cao Zheng~"
Xiao Ya, who has always loved children, couldn't help but cry tears of joy:
"Husband~ Xiao Bei~ I finally have my own Little Baby~"
Xu Bei, sitting on the other side of the bed, still wearing surgical scrubs, quickly grabbed tissues to wipe her Best Friend's tears:
"Xiao Ya, do you still remember when we were in college together, we promised that we would deliver each other's Little Baby in the future?"
Xiao Ya immediately stopped crying and laughed: "Of course, I remember.
It looks like our promise from back then is really going to come true soon."
Xu Bei nodded with a smile, then looked at Cao Pingao, her face slightly flushed:
"The promise is indeed coming true, but I didn't expect that our children—would have the same father~"
---After two days of observation at the hospital, Xiao Ya and the Little Baby were taken home by Cao Pingao to the Donghu Bay Private Villa Area to continue postpartum confinement.
That day was Saturday evening.
Inside the large dining hall of Villa No. 1.
Cao Pingao, the man of the house, had his usual weekend dinner with the girls occupying three large tables.
During the meal, Jin Yao, sitting on Cao Pingao's right, spoke to him in a gentle tone:
"Husband~ Now the sisters need cars to enter and exit the villa area, and the family population is increasing quickly, so the previous cars are becoming insufficient."
Cao Pingao put down his chopsticks and asked, "Not enough cars? How many cars does the family currently have in total?"
Jin Yao took out her phone and opened the memo: "Two rolls-royce phantoms, one car model, one ghost, two maybachs, six mercedes-benz commercial vehicles, one mercedes-benz E300, and three buses.
Because those two Phantoms are prioritized for your use normally, it means that for all these people in the family, there are only 11 small cars available in total."
Cao Pingao nodded after listening: "That is a bit few.
In that case, buy another 16 mercedes-maybachs and 4 mercedes-benz v300s. Equip each villa with two sedans and one commercial vehicle, and use the rest flexibly."
Jin Yao took notes on her phone while saying, "Okay, Husband~ I understand~"
Cao Pingao suddenly turned his head towards Qian Wan, who was sitting on his left:
"Xiao Wan, you're familiar with the mercedes-benz 4S dealership, so I'm handing this procurement task over to you.
After you negotiate the group purchase price, report it to Yao Yao, and have her transfer the money directly to the 4S dealership."
Qian Wan's eyes lit up: "Okay, Husband~ I promise to successfully complete the task of buying cars for the sisters~"
---That same evening.
On the second floor of Villa No. 5.
Qian Jia, having finished showering and wearing only a silk nightgown, pushed open the door and walked into Qian Wan's bedroom, climbing into bed beside her:
"Sister Xiao Wan, what are you thinking about so seriously?"
Qian Wan said thoughtfully, "Jia Jia, 16 maybachs and 4 mercedes-benz v300s, do you know how much money that requires in total?"
Qian Jia shook her head: "I don't know anything about cars."
Qian Wan bit her lip and said seriously, "It requires about 50 million yuan!"
"Ah?! Does it cost that much?!" Qian Jia's mouth dropped open in shock.
Qian Wan glared fiercely at her cousin: "Keep your voice down!"
"Oh, okay, okay."
Qian Jia immediately glanced towards the direction of the door, confirming she had closed it when she came in, then lowered her voice to ask:
"Sister Xiao Wan, for such a large procurement order—how many percentage points of kickback are you planning to get this time?"
Qian Wan looked at Qian Jia beside her with a meaningful look:
"Who said I was going to take a kickback from it?"
//396//
Chapter 396: Qian Wan's Ambition (Part 1)
"Ah? This..." Qian Jia looked confused. "Sister, this is such a good opportunity to make money, can you really resist it?"
Qian Wan frowned slightly and said, "Sigh~ It's not that I don't want to take the opportunity to make money—with the connections I accumulated at the Mercedes-Benz 4S Dealership, getting a rebate of around 5 million from this large procurement order would be too easy!
But I have a feeling that my husband is deliberately testing me this time."
"Testing you?" Qian Jia blinked, her face innocent, and said, "Why didn't I notice?"
Qian Wan looked at Qian Jia with a 'disappointed' expression and said, "Jiajia, your elder sister has always had high hopes for you. When will your ability to read people improve a little?
The matter of buying a car for the family should have been Jin Yao's responsibility. Even if I'm more familiar with the Mercedes-Benz 4S Dealership, the reasonable approach would be for me to accompany Jin Yao to buy the car, not like now, where the entire procurement job is handed directly to me."
Qian Jia nodded, half-understanding, after listening: "Then we'll just take a little less rebate this time, so Husband won't notice?"
Qian Wan couldn't help but roll her eyes at Qian Jia: "I won't take a single cent of rebate this time."
She folded her arms across her chest, creating a deep cleavage line: "I can't let this small immediate gain hinder my grand plan of gradually entering the Cao Wei Group's management!"
---October and the brief autumn passed in a flash. As soon as November began, the temperature in Jiangcheng plummeted, making it feel as if winter had arrived instantly.
Liu Sijie, the female counselor whose due date was this month, was, as usual, sent to St. Mary's Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital a week in advance by Cao Pingao, to await childbirth under the meticulous care of Xu Bei.
This morning.
In a large bedroom on the second floor of Villa No. 4, Cao Pingao slowly awoke from the soft embrace of Zou Huimin's F-cup bosom.
"Husband, you're awake~"
"Mm~"
Cao Pingao stretched his body, then washed his face with facial cleanser nearby, and gently stroked Zou Huimin's belly, saying:
"Time really flies this year; in the blink of an eye, your belly has grown so big.
What day next month is your due date again?"
Zou Huimin smiled, stroking his cheek, and said softly, "The 20th of next month."
Cao Pingao laughed: "That's soon, a little over a month will pass in a flash—I've already thought of names for our child."
Zou Huimin's face lit up: "Really?"
Cao Pingao smiled and nodded: "If it's a girl, she'll be called Cao Xuanmin; if it's a boy, he'll be called Cao Xuan.
Huimin, do you know why I chose this character 'Xuan'?"
Zou Huimin gently shook her head: "Why?"
Cao Pingao said with a mischievous smile, "Because according to the dates, the Little Baby in your belly was conceived at the beginning of the year, when we were traveling together from Wancheng to Luoyang."
Zou Huimin was stunned for a moment, then her little face immediately flushed: "Oh dear~ Husband, don't talk nonsense~ Cao Xuanmin, Cao Xuan, both names sound good, I like them both~"
Cao Pingao laughed: "Then you can give me a second child later, and we'll try to use both names."
Zou Huimin, her face slightly red, nodded shyly: "Mm~"
---When the two of them finished dressing and washing up and went downstairs for breakfast, they happened to meet Little Nurse Zhou Jing and Flight Attendant Liu Yun, who were with their respective daughters, in the dining room on the first floor.
So everyone had a lively breakfast together, chatting and laughing.
After the meal, the heavily pregnant Zou Huimin even personally and gently helped Cao Pingao put on his black woolen overcoat, then insisted on seeing him off to the villa entrance with Zhou Jing and Liu Yun.
Cao Pingao leaned down and kissed each of the three girls goodbye: "It's cold outside, don't see me off."
Zou Huimin's eyes were full of reluctance. While helping him straighten his coat collar, she said, "Okay, Husband, be careful on the road~"
"Got it."
After speaking, Cao Pingao turned and walked out of the gate of Villa No. 4, getting into the large-faced rolls-royce that had been waiting by the roadside.
"Old Dian, to the company."
Dian Wei said with a serious expression, "Yes, Boss."
---The black Phantom drove out of the private villa area, circled half of the Donghu Bay residential complex, and quickly entered the underground parking lot of Donghu Bay Building A.
On the 40th floor, in the heated Chairmans Secretary Office.
The three female secretaries, uniformly dressed in black suits, white shirts, hip-hugging pencil skirts, and black stockings, immediately stood up when they saw Cao Pingao stride in:
"Good morning, Boss~"
"Mm." Cao Pingao casually glanced at the three pairs of beautiful legs in black stockings. "Jiajia, come in with me."
"Yes, Boss."
Qian Jia first gave Sun Ying and Wang Hui a triumphant side-glance, then quickly sped up her pace and followed Cao Pingao into the inner office.
After entering the warm office, Cao Pingao slightly spread his arms. Little Secretary Qian Jia, seeing this, quickly stood behind him and helped him take off his outermost woolen overcoat, hanging it on the coat rack against the wall.
Cao Pingao, having taken off his coat, plopped down into the comfortable boss's chair, then patted his thigh.
Upon seeing this, Qian Jia quickly and somewhat shyly sat on his lap.
"I didn't wear gloves when I went out today, my hands are a bit cold."
Upon hearing this, Qian Jia quickly unbuttoned a few buttons of her white shirt:
"Boss~ I'll warm your hands for you~"
While feeling the soft warmth on his palms and looking at Qian Jia, whom he had trained to be obedient and well-behaved, Cao Pingao felt quite pleased:
"Jiajia, during this car purchase, did Xiao Wan really not take a single cent of rebate?"
Qian Jia, covering Cao Pingao's large hands, nodded and said, "Sister Xiao Wan really didn't take any rebate this time.
She said she didn't want a small immediate gain to affect her grand plan of entering the company's management."
"Hahahahaha, it seems her ambition isn't small." Cao Pingao chuckled. "Did she tell you how exactly she plans to enter company management?"
Qian Jia gently shook her head: "She didn't tell me that."
"Mm." Cao Pingao withdrew his right hand and stroked Qian Jia's small face, saying, "Husband is very satisfied with your recent performance.
Starting this month, you can receive 50,000 yuan in pocket money from Yaoyao every month."
Although she only received 50% of the Girlfriend treatment, Qian Jia, who had been suppressed, was so excited by this good news that she immediately hugged Cao Pingao's neck and gave him several kisses in a row:
"Thank you, Husband~ Husband, you're so good~"
---That afternoon, when Cao Pingao drove home from the company, he saw 16 brand new maybach S680s and 4 brand new mercedes-benz commercial vehicles neatly parked in the outdoor parking lot of the villa area.
At 6:30 PM, the Cao family gathered as usual in the large dining room of Villa No. 1 for dinner.
During the meal, Jin Yao proactively praised her "old rival" Qian Wan, who was sitting across from her, to Cao Pingao:
"Husband~ You really found the right person by entrusting Xiao Wan with the car buying task this time~
Not only is Xiao Wan highly efficient, buying all 20 cars you requested in less than two weeks, but she also got a great discount at the Mercedes-Benz 4S Dealership, saving our family over 3 million yuan~"
Qian Wan quickly said obediently, "Thank you for the compliment, Sister Yaoyao~
Husband~ While buying the cars, I also had the domestic service company recruit 20 new female drivers. They used to drive buses, taxis, and ride-hailing cars, so their driving skills are absolutely qualified."
Cao Pingao took a sip of the white wine in his glass and nodded with a satisfied expression:
"Xiao Wan, your work this time, coordinating with Yaoyao to buy cars and hiring drivers, was excellent. You deserve praise.
Tell me, what gift do you want Husband to give you?"
Qian Wan said with downcast eyes, "It's only right to do what I can to help Sister Yaoyao and the sisters in the family, I don't want any gifts—but I do have an idea about the domestic service company~"
Cao Pingao's lips curled into a meaningful smile: "If you have an idea, speak it."
Qian Wan bit her lip, then looked up into his eyes and said:
"Husband~ Although the domestic service company is not large, it is still one of the properties under your name.
I want it to be merged into your Cao Wei Group and become a subsidiary of the group."
Hearing Qian Wan's words, Chen Shuting, Jie Jie, Shen Qingyu, Lü Xiaomeng, and Deng Xiaorong, who were sitting diagonally opposite her, all looked at her in unison.
Fan Binbin, sitting at the second table, also turned her head.
//397//
Chapter 397: Qian Wan's Ambition (Part 2)
Qian Wan's thinking was very clear: Although the housekeeping company I manage is incomparable to Cao Wei Real Estate, Banana Media, and Banana Film and Television in terms of scale, revenue, and other aspects.
But once it also becomes a subsidiary of Cao Wei Group, then as the CEO of "Cao Wei Housekeeping," my position in the group will be directly second only to Chen Shuting, Jie Jie, and Shen Qingyu!
Facing Qian Wan's blatant attempt to use a small housekeeping company to overtake others and "reach the top in one step" within the group company, the core trio of Chen, Jian, and Shen simultaneously became vigilant.
Meanwhile, Deng Xiaorong, the Vice President of Cao Wei Real Estate, and Fan Binbin, the General Manager of the Marketing Department, felt even more displeased—
Deng Xiaorong: This Qian Wan is indeed not a simple person! With her move, wouldn't she transform into a general manager of a subsidiary, secretly surpassing me, a vice president?
Fan Binbin: How much effort and sweat did I put in to finally climb to middle management in the company?
Qian Wan, you cheap woman who sold mercedes-benz! You're not as pretty as me, your figure isn't as good as mine, you just followed my husband a few days earlier!
Husband, please don't agree to her, don't let her climb above me so easily—Cao Pingao, sitting in the main seat, naturally sensed the subtle tension in the air.
He took a relaxed sip of the white wine in his glass and said with a smile:
"Xiao Wan, the housekeeping company is currently too small; it's not suitable to be directly merged into the group.
However, since you have the ambition to improve, I won't dampen your enthusiasm."
Cao Pingao stroked his chin, thought for a moment, and said, "How about this: there are still empty floors in the office building anyway. You can move your housekeeping company to the 21st floor to work, and I'll invest another 20 million yuan.
As for joining Cao Wei Group and becoming a subsidiary, let's talk about it after you achieve greater success."
After listening to Cao Pingao, Qian Wan only thought for a moment before deciding to "quit while she was ahead":
"Okay, Husband~ I understand~"
Deng Xiaorong and Fan Binbin also temporarily breathed a sigh of relief when they saw that Qian Wan's scheme had not succeeded.
---After dinner, Cao Pingao and the girls, as usual, gathered in the large living room on the first floor of the villa, taking care of the children, eating after-dinner fruit, and chatting.
Cao Pingao embraced Jin Yao and Chen Shuting's slender waists, looking dotingly at Lele leading a small group of younger siblings who could already walk on their own, including Cao Xuanyi, the twin sisters Cao Xuanmo and Cao Xuanli, Cao Ang, Cao Pi, Cao Zhang, and Cao Zhi, as they chased and played in the living room.
"In the blink of an eye, the little ones can all walk and run, and Lele has started second grade. Time really flies," Cao Pingao sighed, watching the children.
Chen Shuting, sitting next to him, suddenly leaned close to his ear and whispered:
"Husband~ You let Xiao Wan move the housekeeping company into the office building to work with us, and you're adding more investment for her. Is it just to give her something to do, so she doesn't always stay at home bothering Jin Yao?"
Cao Pingao also leaned into Chen Shuting's ear, sniffing her hair while chuckling:
"You know me best, Sister Shuting."
Chen Shuting then whispered, "What if she really achieves something, will you merge the housekeeping company into the group?"
Cao Pingao replied, "We'll see about that."
Chen Shuting pouted, "I don't really care about what you do, but Jie Jie, Qingyu, and especially Xiao Rong and Binbin, might feel a bit unbalanced."
Cao Pingao grinned, "Don't worry, Sister Shuting, I, the master of balance, definitely won't make everyone unhappy just for her."
"Alright, as long as you know what you're doing." Chen Shuting, with her extremely high emotional intelligence, always knew when to stop talking and would never nag endlessly.
At this moment, Qian Yi, wearing a black long-sleeved base shirt and a white mini-skirt, walked up to Cao Pingao with a flushed face.
Seeing this, Jin Yao voluntarily gave up her seat:
"Little Sister Yi, you sit with Husband; I'm going to the restroom."
After Qian Yi sat down beside him, Cao Pingao put his large hand around her slender waist:
"What's wrong, Xiao Yi?"
Qian Yi lowered her head slightly, too shy to look him in the eyes:
"Husband~ My, my period of fertility has arrived this month~"
"Hahahaha, Husband understands." Cao Pingao chuckled and kissed Qian Yi, "As soon as the family gathering is over, I'll go back to Villa No. 5 with you, okay?"
Qian Yi's face was flushed, but she nodded happily, "Mm~"
---That night.
In a bedroom on the second floor of Villa No. 5.
Cao Pingao embraced Qian Yi's slender waist, and together they gazed at the lake view under the moonlight by the window.
In the adjacent bedroom, Qian Wan leaned against the headboard, coaxing the little Cao Pi in her arms to sleep, while silently praying in her heart—
Xiao Yi, you must work hard. Once you're also pregnant with Husband's Little Baby, our Qian family's status in the Cao family will be even more secure.
---[Congratulations, host, for successfully completing the Many Children, Many Blessings mission]
[Breeding target Qian Yi has successfully conceived naturally. System rewards 10 million yuan for prenatal care.]
[Skill Reward: Loyalty Emblem (Bronze)]
[When the host possesses the Loyalty Emblem (Bronze), intimate interactions can slightly increase the loyalty of opposite-sex individuals with loyalty below 85% towards the host.]
[The Loyalty Emblem will upgrade upon the successful birth of the baby.]
[Random Reward: 2 great tonic strengthening pills]
---The next afternoon.
At the entrance of the School of Economics and Management, Jiangcheng University.
Qiao Yueran, wearing a white wool coat, had just finished class with her classmates when she heard a familiar voice calling her name:
"Junior Sister Yueran!"
Zhou Lang, who had been waiting there, walked forward with a smile: "Yueran, are you free tonight? I'd like to invite you to dinner and a movie."
Facing the handsome student council president and debate team captain's invitation, several female classmates around Qiao Yueran simultaneously shouted in their hearts: Senior Brother Zhou, I'm free, I'm free from tonight until tomorrow daytime~
"I'm sorry, I already have plans tonight."
Qiao Yueran calmly refused Zhou Lang, then bid farewell to her classmates and walked towards a white Bentley parked by the roadside.
Unwilling to give up, Zhou Lang quickly got on his electric scooter and followed the Bentley out of the school, arriving at the entrance of Guanggu Plaza, not far from the school.
He saw Qiao Yueran get out of the car there and walk directly towards a middle-aged man in a black wool coat standing by the mall's main entrance—
"It really is him! That old man who went on a blind date with Yueran before!"
Just as Zhou Lang felt a lump in his throat and his heart ached, he saw the tall man point to a nearby milk tea shop. Then, Goddess Qiao, who had always appeared so aloof in front of him, obediently went to queue up for milk tea for him—Zhou Lang instantly froze on his electric bike, completely oblivious to the 催促聲 and horn sounds from other pedestrians behind him.
//398//
Chapter 398: Deep Sisterly Love (Part 1)
Cao Pingao stood at the entrance of Qun'guang Shopping Mall with his hands in his pockets. From a distance, he saw the beautiful Qiao Yueran, wearing a white wool coat, tight jeans on her slender, straight legs, and brown UGG snow boots, walking quickly towards him.
"Miss Qiao, you're late."
Qiao Yueran picked up her Apple phone and glanced at it: "I'm only less than 3 minutes late."
"Isn't less than 3 minutes still late?"
Cao Pingao smiled and pointed to the long queue at Ba Wang Cha Ji next to them: "Buy me a cup of milk tea, and I won't hold your tardiness against you."
"You---"
Qiao Yueran never expected that a rich and beautiful woman like herself would one day be sent by a man to queue up and buy him milk tea. Forget it, for my sister's sake, I'll endure this small matter.
"Fine, I'll go buy it for you."
Qiao Yueran glared at Cao Pingao with a fierce yet cute look, then turned and walked towards the long line at the milk tea shop entrance.
The men and women queuing for milk tea all turned to look when they saw a beauty of Miss Qiao's caliber join the line, secretly admiring her almost flawless beauty.
Cao Pingao, meanwhile, smiled and found an empty chair at the shop entrance, sitting down leisurely to scroll on his phone.
Qiao Yueran, who was standing in line, saw this and became even more annoyed:
"Hey, what do you want to drink?"
Cao Pingao didn't even look up, his eyes fixed on his phone as he casually replied, "Whatever you drink, I'll drink. I'm not picky."
Qiao Yueran pouted slightly and said, "I'm on a diet recently, so I can't drink milk tea~"
Cao Pingao looked up when he heard this and laughed, "You're so thin, why are you dieting? I think you'd look even better with a little more weight."
"Hmph, what do you know? Clothes look better when you're thin~"
Qiao Yueran, with a slightly flushed face, said arrogantly, "If you don't have a preference, I'll just order you something random."
"Alright, I'll drink whatever you order." Cao Pingao lowered his head and continued scrolling on his phone.
Everyone around them was astonished after hearing their conversation:
"My heavens, this guy is too awesome! He can actually sit and play on his phone while such a beautiful woman queues up to buy him milk tea?"
"He must be super rich, probably an unknown top-tier second-generation heir!"
"Damn it, being rich is so great~ I must be reborn into a rich family in my next life!"
Before long, Qiao Yueran, having bought the milk tea, stood before Cao Pingao:
"Here, your milk tea."
"Thank you."
When Cao Pingao looked up and took his milk tea, he noticed Qiao Yueran also had a cup in her hand:
"Hahaha, weren't you on a diet and not drinking milk tea?"
Qiao Yueran bit her lip, her gaze shifting elsewhere:
"This cup is sugar-free---and I queued for so long, it wouldn't be worth it to only buy one for you."
Then, the two walked into the mall, sipping their milk tea.
First, they watched a movie together, then had dinner together.
Of course, both the choice of movie and the choice of restaurant were according to Cao Pingao's tastes—which made Qiao Yueran, who was never short of admirers, quite unaccustomed at first.
But gradually, she began to feel that Cao Pingao was quite special—other boys fawned over her, but he was the only one who didn't.
This feeling of him treating her as an equal and a friend was actually quite nice~
During dinner, Qiao Yueran asked Cao Pingao many questions about the Cao Wei Group.
Boss Cao then vividly and exaggeratedly recounted his miraculous journey from being laid off by his company and abandoned by his Ex-wife, to working hard and starting his own business again.
This further increased Qiao Yueran's favorable impression of Cao Pingao, this "business prodigy":
"Boss Cao, you are truly amazing to have developed a small MCN Company in Jiangcheng into a comprehensive group company in just over two years."
Cao Pingao smiled calmly: "Miss Qiao, you overpraise me.
Although I did put in a lot of energy and effort during the entrepreneurial process, the main reason I achieved these results today is because I have good luck."
Qiao Yueran's beautiful big eyes sparkled: "Luck is also a part of strength.
Someone like Boss Cao, who doesn't rely on family and starts from scratch to succeed in business, is truly remarkable~"
At this moment, Cao Pingao's phone suddenly vibrated.
He picked it up and saw that it was a call from Qiao Weigong:
"Hello, Boss Qiao. Yes, it's convenient, please speak. The blind date with Yunran last time?"
Cao Pingao looked up at Qiao Yueran across the table—only to see her with her hands clasped together, looking at him pleadingly.
"Ah, well, the blind date last time went very smoothly.
Uh, okay, I'm free this weekend. Alright, alright, see you then.
Goodbye, Boss Qiao."
After Cao Pingao hung up, Qiao Yueran quickly said gratefully:
"Thank you, Boss Cao, thank you for not exposing that I went on the blind date with you in place of my sister~"
Cao Pingao smiled: "You're welcome, it's a small matter.
Besides, you treated me to milk tea, a movie, and dinner today, so I should reciprocate, shouldn't I?"
Qiao Yueran's face flushed slightly, and she asked curiously, "Oh right, I heard you say on the phone that you're free this weekend. Did my dad arrange for my sister to meet you again?"
Cao Pingao took a sip of tea and said, "No, your dad invited me to your house for dinner this weekend."
Upon hearing this, Qiao Yueran couldn't help but frown slightly: It seemed that Dad and Dongwu Group still hadn't reached an agreement, and he was accelerating the cooperation with Cao Wei Group.
---Time quickly came to the weekend.
A black Phantom slowly stopped at the entrance of the Qiao family's large villa courtyard.
Cao Pingao, dressed in a black Armani suit with a black Armani coat over it, stepped out of the rolls-royce's iconic suicide doors.
He looked up and saw Qiao Weigong, dressed in formal wear, along with Big Qiao and Little Qiao, both with exquisite makeup and wearing identical white wool coats, standing at the main entrance to greet him.
"Oh, Boss Qiao, why did you personally come to the door to greet me? How can a junior accept such an honor?"
Qiao Weigong smiled kindly: "Hahaha, no worries, no worries.
You've already met my eldest daughter, Yunran, twice, so there's no need for an introduction.
This is my younger daughter, Yueran."
Today, Qiao Yueran, like her sister, had her long hair pinned up, revealing her fair, slender swan-like neck.
She smiled and extended her fair, delicate hand to Cao Pingao: "Hello, Boss Cao~"
Cao Pingao also smiled and lightly clasped Qiao Yueran's fingertips:
"Hello, Miss Little Qiao."
Qiao Weigong: "Alright, alright, it's cold outside, let's go inside to chat."
So, everyone walked together through the Qiao family's courtyard, rich with greenery and flowers, and entered the three-story grand villa in the middle.
Upon entering the warm interior, the Qiao family's servants quickly took the coats and jackets that Qiao Weigong and the others had taken off.
It was then that Cao Pingao noticed: Big Qiao and Little Qiao were both wearing exquisitely styled evening gowns underneath; Big Qiao's was white, and Little Qiao's was red.
Next, Qiao Weigong, Cao Pingao, Qiao Yunran, and Qiao Yueran sat around the long table in the dining room and enjoyed a sumptuous dinner.
During the meal, Qiao Weigong was somewhat puzzled that Cao Pingao still seemed a bit unfamiliar with his eldest daughter, yet he communicated with his younger daughter with great ease, as if they had known each other before.
//399//
Chapter 399: Deep Sisterly Love (Part 2)
After dinner, Qiao Weigong invited Cao Pingao into his study again.
"Pingao, your Cao Wei Real Estate has capital and land, making it currently the strongest real estate company in Jiang City. There is no other.
My Jinqiao Group has rich experience in operating large shopping malls and supermarkets, stable supply channels, and a sound warehousing and logistics system.
As long as our two families cooperate, the entire medium-to-large-scale supermarket market in Jiang City will be ours to command."
Cao Pingao leaned back in the single sofa with a smile:
"The advantages my Cao Wei Group possesses are also largely shared by the Dongwu Group in City, and as far as I know, they have been negotiating with you for a long time.
Boss Qiao, are you sure you don't want to choose them for cooperation?"
Qiao Weigong's white brows furrowed slightly, and he sighed softly:
"Alas, the Dongwu Group appears very sincere, but in reality, in the cooperation framework they drafted, all key decisions are to be made by them.
To put it bluntly, Sun Dajian just wants to use me as a stepping stone to enter Jiang City.
Moreover, if I refuse to cooperate with the Dongwu Group, Sun Dajian will still find a way to break into the Jiang City market.
At that time, my Jinqiao Group, relying solely on its own strength, will find it difficult to contend with the Dongwu Group head-on."
Qiao Weigong looked at the thoughtful Cao Pingao with a meaningful gaze and continued:
"Pingao, I know that asking you to fight against the Dongwu Group with me carries some risks—but aren't you on good personal terms with Jiang Dawei of Jiang Shi Industrial?
If our three families join forces to deal with Sun Dajian, our chances of winning are still very high.
Furthermore, I am willing to marry my eldest daughter, Yunran, to you as a guarantee of our alliance."
Cao Pingao stroked his chin, pretending to think for a moment, then smiled and said:
"This territory of our Jiang City, no matter what, cannot let outsiders like Sun Dajian run wild."
Qiao Weigong immediately agreed, "You're right, the Jiang City market should be controlled by us local Jiang City enterprises."
Cao Pingao added, "However, Boss Qiao, your idea of having Big Brother Jiang join us to deal with Sun Dajian might have a slight problem."
Qiao Weigong was somewhat surprised: "Ah? Are there any obstacles?"
Cao Pingao grinned: "To be honest, Big Brother Jiang, like you, also wants me to be his Son-in-law.
If I were to suddenly marry Yunran like this, Big Brother Jiang would inevitably be a bit uncomfortable, and discussing joining forces against the Dongwu Group would become difficult."
Qiao Weigong nodded: "So there's this connection—Pingao, then what do you think is the best way to handle this matter?"
Cao Pingao tried hard to suppress the corners of his mouth from rising and said:
"Boss Qiao, how about this: I'll secretly get engaged to Yunran first, and we won't disclose our relationship to the public for now.
After our three families—Cao, Jiang, and Qiao—resolve the threat from the Dongwu Group, I'll hold a formal wedding with Yunran. What do you think?"
Qiao Weigong thought for a moment and readily approved Cao Pingao's method:
"Alright, Pingao, let's do as you say.
After all, the matter of three companies joining forces against Sun Dajian is more urgent; your marriage with Yunran can be postponed."
Just as Cao Pingao and Qiao Weigong were discussing the details of their cooperation, there was a sudden knock-knock-knock at the study door.
Then Qiao Yueran, dressed in a red evening gown, walked in with a serious expression.
Qiao Weigong said, somewhat surprised, "Yueran, Pingao and I are discussing important matters, why did you just barge in?"
"Dad, I'm here to discuss important matters with you," Qiao Yueran said calmly. "I want to marry Boss Cao in place of my sister, as a guarantee for the alliance between our two groups."
Qiao Weigong: "This—Yueran, what nonsense are you talking about? You haven't even graduated from college.
Don't be so ill-mannered in front of Pingao. You go out first; we'll talk about anything later."
To his surprise, Qiao Yueran remained unmoved and looked directly at Cao Pingao, asking:
"Since it's a business marriage anyway, instead of marrying a girl like my sister who has another man in her heart, why not marry me, Boss Cao? What do you think?"
Cao Pingao's lips curved slightly: "Little Miss Qiao, I'm 11 years older than you. Do you mind?"
Qiao Yueran gently shook her head: "I don't mind."
Cao Pingao then chuckled: "What if I told you I have many Girlfriends and already have children?"
Qiao Yueran paused, then said with a resolute look in her eyes:
"As long as you prioritize me after we get married and keep them out of my sight, I can pretend they don't exist."
—At the same time.
In a bedroom upstairs in the villa.
Qiao Yunran was secretly on a video call with her Boyfriend Sun Feng:
"Didn't you say before that when you came back from City this time, you would definitely resolve the misunderstanding between my dad and your dad, and then facilitate our two families' business cooperation?
Why is there still no result?"
Sun Feng on the other end of the video call still used the 'procrastination' tactic:
"Yunran, I've been doing my best to mediate between your dad and my dad. You talk to your dad again and ask him to give me a little more time. I'm sure I can come up with a cooperation framework that satisfies both parties."
Qiao Yunran said with red eyes, "But I'm out of time—"
Sun Feng's heart instantly chilled: "What do you mean, you're out of time, Yunran?"
Just then, Qiao Yueran suddenly pushed the door open and burst in: "Sis, I have good news to tell you~"
Qiao Yunran quickly ended the video call with Sun Feng: "What good news?"
Qiao Yueran plopped down next to her sister, saying happily:
"Dad has agreed to let me marry Boss Cao in your place."
Qiao Yunran was stunned, then shook her head repeatedly: "No, no, Yueran, I can't let you do this."
"Alright, Sis, don't worry about it anymore; this matter has been decided."
Qiao Yueran said with a smile, "And this way, you and your Brother Feng won't have to be forcibly separated for now.
—However, given the hostile business relationship between our Qiao family and the Sun family, your future path together will probably not be easy."
"Yueran~"
Tears streamed from Qiao Yunran's eyes, filled with complex emotions, and she hugged her sister, sobbing uncontrollably.
—For the rest of November, Qiao Weigong continued to deal with the Dongwu Group while also reaching a mutually beneficial cooperation plan with the Cao Wei Group.
Because Qiao Yueran explicitly requested not to live with Cao Pingao's other Girlfriends.
So Boss Cao simply renovated the large Ye family villa he had bought earlier, replaced all the furniture and appliances in the house, and then used it as the marital home for himself and Little Qiao after their engagement.
At the end of November, the female teacher Liu Sijie gave birth to a chubby baby boy for Cao Pingao at the obstetrics and gynecology hospital, whom Boss Cao named Cao Jing.
—Time came to December.
On this day, at the Qiao family's grand villa.
Qiao Yueran, with her hair styled in a Chinese bun and wearing a red Chinese mermaid qipao embroidered with golden phoenixes, held a private engagement ceremony at home with Boss Cao, who was dressed in a Chinese suit, witnessed by her father Qiao Weigong.
After exchanging engagement rings and sharing a light kiss, Little Qiao, with a slightly flushed face, said to her fiancé:
"I'm going upstairs to say goodbye to my sister, and then I'll leave with you."
Cao Pingao smiled and nodded: "It's still early, you two sisters can talk for a while longer.
Your dad and I will be discussing matters in the study while we wait for you to come down."
"Okay, good~"
—Qiao Yueran, dressed in festive red, arrived on the second floor and gently pushed open the door to her sister's boudoir—
She saw Qiao Yunran sitting in front of her dressing table, constantly wiping away tears.
"Sis~ why are you crying again~" Qiao Yueran sat down next to Qiao Yunran with a pained expression, hugging her and wiping away her tears.
Qiao Yunran turned her head to look at her younger sister's young and beautiful face, sniffing, and said:
"Yueran, I'm sorry, sister is sorry for letting you marry a man you don't like in my place—"
"Sis, don't think that way."
In fact, during her interactions with Cao Pingao, Qiao Yueran had already developed some different feelings for him—especially after exchanging rings and kissing just now, her heart had already begun to see herself as Cao Pingao's woman.
However, Qiao Yueran was still too shy to tell her sister about these little thoughts directly at this moment:
"Although there's no emotional foundation between us, and he's notoriously promiscuous—I believe that under my influence, he will slowly change in the future."
After hearing Qiao Yueran's words, Qiao Yunran became even more convinced that her sister was going to live with a man she didn't like for her sake—
No, as an older sister, I cannot be this selfish.
After the two sisters hugged each other and reluctantly bid farewell for a while, Qiao Yunran took the initiative to get up and brought two cups of warm water from nearby:
"Yueran, it's still early. Can you stay and chat with your sister for a while longer before you go?"
Qiao Yueran was also reluctant to leave her sister, so she took the cup, took a sip, and nodded happily:
"Of course~"
//400//
Chapter 400: Deep Sisterly Love (Part 2)
In the study on the first floor of the Qiao family villa.
"According to the information I've gathered, Dongwu Group has already started buying land in several core business districts of Jiangcheng through several shell companies. I estimate that old man Sun Dajian will make a big move within this year."
Qiao Weigong said with a serious expression, looking at Cao Pingao:
"So, while we're competing with Dongwu Group for land, we need to quickly launch the two new large shopping mall projects we planned earlier to seize the initiative.
---Pingao, the funding will depend on your Cao Wei Group."
Cao Pingao checked his assets using the system:
[According to the system's big data calculation, the host's current total assets are: over 6.55521 billion yuan]
[The host's current total cash balance is: 2,085,267,826.51 yuan]
After lending 500 million to Jiang Dawei, Cao Pingao still had over 2 billion in liquid funds.
Moreover, on the 15th of every month, his prosperous husband badge would give him a cash reward of over 100 million, so he wasn't worried about funding at all.
"Father-in-law, please rest assured, I have already prepared 1 billion yuan to 'welcome' the Dongwu Group."
Hearing Cao Pingao say this, Qiao Weigong naturally beamed with joy: "That's good, that's good.
This way, we can give that old man Sun Dajian a warning from the start, letting him know that our Jiangcheng market isn't somewhere he can just enter as he pleases!"
At this moment, Qiao Weigong looked up at the clock on the wall again: "Eh? Yueran has been upstairs for almost two hours, why hasn't she come down yet?
Wang Ma, Wang Ma."
A middle-aged maid heard the call, opened the door, and walked into the study: "Sir, you called me."
Qiao Weigong: "Go upstairs and urge the second young lady. Tell her Pingao is still waiting to take her home."
"Yes, sir."
Unexpectedly, less than a minute after Wang Ma had left the study, she immediately returned:
"Sir, the second young lady has come down."
Qiao Weigong raised his white eyebrows: "Come down? Then why didn't she say anything?"
He turned to Cao Pingao: "Pingao, it's getting late today. Take Yueran home to rest first. We'll continue discussing business another day."
"Okay, father-in-law."
---Then Cao Pingao walked out of the study with Qiao Weigong and saw Qiao Yueran in the villa's entrance hall, wearing a red cheongsam, an engagement ring on her hand, and a semi-transparent thin red veil covering her head.
Although it wasn't a formal wedding, the thought of his youngest daughter leaving him today to live with her fiancé made Qiao Weigong's eyes well up with tears.
"Yueran, after you get engaged to Pingao today, you're no longer a little girl. In the future, you need to rein in your temper and listen to Pingao."
Qiao Weigong wiped his tears, holding his youngest daughter's hand and said: "Dad wishes you and Pingao happiness and joy. I hope you'll let me hold my grandchild soon---"
Qiao Yueran also reached her hand under the red veil to wipe her tears, then bowed deeply to her father, whose hair was starting to turn gray.
Cao Pingao, standing nearby, smiled and said: "Father-in-law, you don't need to be so sentimental. Yueran isn't marrying far away. I'll often bring her back to see you and her sister."
"That's right, that's right." Qiao Weigong also smiled through his tears. "Alright, it's getting late. Be careful on your way back."
"Understood, father-in-law."
Cao Pingao took the white wool overcoat handed by the maid and considerately put it on Qiao Yueran.
But after she had put on the coat, when he reached out to take his fiancée's hand to leave with her, he noticed her hand subconsciously flinched, then actively and lightly took his hand.
Cao Pingao: Eh? When we exchanged engagement rings, hugged, and kissed earlier, you didn't flinch at all. Why suddenly now---no, something's fishy.
He calmly activated the system to scan—
Oh my goodness, how did my fiancée turn from Little Qiao to Big Qiao again?
These two sisters are really interesting. First, the younger sister willingly took her older sister's place in a business marriage, and now the older sister suddenly takes the younger sister's place to go home with him---After a moment of thought, Cao Pingao decided to play along for now and see what happened.
So, he and "Qiao Yueran" held hands and, under Qiao Weigong's gaze, got into the black rolls-royce phantom parked at the courtyard gate, leaving the Qiao family together.
---On the way from Jiangdong District back to Jiangnan District.
"Qiao Yueran," with her red veil still covering her head, remained silent the entire way, simply watching the night view of Jiangcheng outside the car window.
Cao Pingao, sitting next to her, did not actively expose her:
Judging by Qiao Yueran's behavior during our engagement, she is clearly willing to marry me, so there shouldn't be a possibility of her suddenly changing her mind—
Which means this current situation was most likely orchestrated by this "Qiao Yueran" beside me.
But doesn't she really like that Sun Feng?
Never mind, there's no harm in eating "meat" that's delivered to your doorstep.
Less than an hour later, the black Phantom stopped at the entrance of a large villa's courtyard.
As the right side's double door of the car opened, "Qiao Yueran" got out with Cao Pingao's help and looked up, seeing three golden characters written on the plaque directly above the main entrance—Tongque Garden.
She immediately thought of the bronze peacock statues in her own family's courtyard.
After entering "Tongque Garden" with Cao Pingao, "Qiao Yueran" suddenly discovered that the layout and furnishings of this courtyard were almost an exact copy of her own home's courtyard.
Seeing her slow down her steps in surprise, Cao Pingao turned back and said with a smile:
"I thought arranging this place to be similar to your home would make you more accustomed to living here."
"Qiao Yueran" nodded gently in agreement: It seems he put some thought into this for my sister---As soon as they entered the 3-story grand villa in the center of the courtyard, four young maids and four middle-aged aunties stood neatly in two rows, bowing to Cao Pingao and them, saying:
"Welcome home, boss and Miss Qiao."
Cao Pingao then turned his face to "Qiao Yueran" and said with a smile: "Eight servants divided into two shifts, serving you 24 hours a day. Is this arrangement okay?"
Having taken off her overcoat, "Qiao Yueran" silently nodded again, then began exploring the villa on her own.
After allowing his fiancée to slowly walk around the large villa, Cao Pingao finally led her into their master bedroom.
Cao Pingao closed the door and turned around to see "Qiao Yueran" standing in the middle of the room, her head slightly lowered, her two fair hands clasped tightly in front of her, clearly very nervous.
"Yueran, you don't need to worry or be nervous. In situations like tonight, your fiancé is very experienced."
With a mischievous smile, Cao Pingao put his arm around "Qiao Yueran's" stiff shoulder and sat down at the foot of the double bed, then reached out to lift the red veil from her head.
"Qiao Yueran" quickly turned to dodge his large hand, then pointed to the ceiling light and bedside lamps in the room.
Cao Pingao chuckled: "Yueran, don't be so shy. If the lights are off, I won't be able to see your beautiful little face later."
"Qiao Yueran" stubbornly moved to the side and again raised her finger, pointing at the lights in the room.
"Hahahaha, alright, alright, if you want the lights off, then off they go."
Having teased her enough, Cao Pingao got up and turned off all the lights, and the bedroom instantly darkened.
Just as "Qiao Yueran's" eyes were adjusting to the darkness, the red veil on her head was suddenly lifted, and her slender waist was suddenly embraced by a large hand:
"Ah~" She couldn't help but let out a soft gasp.
"What's wrong, Yueran?"
Cao Pingao sat close beside her, sniffing her fragrance, and whispered in her ear:
"You're already my fiancée. You should have been prepared to consummate our marriage tonight, right?"
After speaking, he lowered his head and began searching for "Qiao Yueran's" cherry lips in the darkness.
"Little Qiao" instinctively tried to dodge, but her waist was already tightly embraced by him---so the next moment, her first kiss was roughly taken by a large mouth.
Then she felt her red cheongsam slowly being peeled off by a pair of large hands.
This time, "Qiao Yueran" did not speak or resist, merely letting her tears silently stream down her cheeks.
///401//
Chapter 401: Fiancé Becomes Brother-in-Law
Qiao Yueran had the first erotic dream of her life.
In the dream, while she was walking in the forest, she was suddenly kidnapped by a group of green-skinned goblins who appeared out of nowhere.
The goblin leader, who looked exactly like Zhou Lang, drooled at her while excitedly shouting:
"Brothers, let's quickly take the Goddess back to our lair and start breeding!"
"Breed! Breed! Breed!"
Zhou Lang laughed loudly, waving the broken wooden club in his hand, "Don't rush, I'll go first!
Line up and come one by one, everyone will get a chance!"
Just as Qiao Yueran was frightened and losing her color, the tall Cao Pingao rode a black steed and bravely rescued her from the goblins.
After the two escaped the danger together, before Qiao Yueran could even thank Cao Pingao, her mouth was forcefully kissed by him---Under a lush, leafy tree, Cao Pingao held her in his arms and said with deep affection:
"Yueran, I love you, marry me!"
Qiao Yueran's pretty face flushed slightly, and she bit her lip and nodded, "Okay~"
Cao Pingao laughed happily, "That's great! Let's start making Little Baby right away!"
"Eh? This, this fast?"
Just as Qiao Yueran was still feeling shy, Cao Pingao had already taken off his top, revealing his muscular, masculine, and imposing physique.
Qiao Yueran's face instantly turned bright red: "Then, then fine~"
So the two embraced tightly and began their shameless activities right there on the grass beneath the big tree---"Husband~"
The second before, Qiao Yueran was sweetly hugging Cao Pingao's neck, but when she opened her eyes again, she suddenly realized she was only hugging a large white pillow.
"So it was just a dream---it would have been even better if the dream had lasted a little longer~"
Qiao Yueran wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth with her hand while stretching widely.
Suddenly, her peripheral vision caught sight of the bright sunlight streaming into the room from outside the window—
Qiao Yueran suddenly sat up from the bed: "Oh my god, did I sleep the whole night?
Why didn't my sister and the others wake me up?"
She groggily got out of bed and saw an envelope stuck to the large mirror on the nearby dressing table. On the outside of the envelope, the four characters "Yueran, Open Personally" were written in delicate handwriting.
Qiao Yueran walked over and took the letter: "It's my sister's handwriting."
She quickly opened the envelope curiously and took out the letter paper to read—
"Yueran, my dearest younger sister, I cannot watch you sacrifice your lifelong happiness by marrying a man you don't like for my sake.
Therefore, I will take on the responsibility that originally belonged to me: marrying Boss Cao to cement the commercial alliance between our two families.
Yueran, I hope you can finish university carefree, find the person you truly love, and live happily ever after with him—
Your sister, who loves you forever."
After reading the letter, Qiao Yueran stood dumbfounded.
It took a long while before she slowly recovered from the shock:
Yesterday, when my sister and I were chatting, I started feeling sleepy.
My sister said she would wake me up after I rested on her bed for half an hour, and then I fell asleep. Could it be that last night she---Qiao Yueran, still in her pajamas, quickly rushed out of Qiao Yunran's bedroom and ran down the stairs to the first floor.
At this moment, Qiao Weigong, who was eating breakfast in the living room, looked utterly bewildered:
"Yueran? This---when did you come back?"
Qiao Yueran, frowning deeply, said with a conflicted expression, "Dad, I never left. The one who left with Pingao last night was Sister."
Qiao Weigong: "---"
---Around the same time.
In the master bedroom on the second floor of Tongque Garden.
Qiao Yunran, who had barely slept all night, looked at the small red flower on the bedsheet, and tears of grievance welled up again.
Cao Pingao, waking up, stretched widely: "Yueran, why are you crying so early in the morning?"
He first turned his head to look, and then instantly sat up from the bed with a "surprised look":
"Yunran? Why are you in my bed?"
Qiao Yunran pulled the blanket over her chest, too embarrassed to look him in the eye, and explained softly:
"My younger sister is still too young. It is more appropriate for me to be your fiancée—"
Cao Pingao looked "incredulous": "Are you saying---the one who came back with me last night wasn't Yueran at all, but you?"
Qiao Yunran bit her lip hard and nodded: "Could you please turn away---I want to put on my clothes first."
"Oh, alright."
Cao Pingao put on a pair of pajama bottoms and strode into the independent bathroom in the master bedroom.
He first relieved himself, then took a quick shower.
"Yunran, can I come out now?"
"Yes, you can."
Cao Pingao, with a white bath towel wrapped around his waist, walked out of the bathroom and saw that Qiao Yunran had already put on a white thermal undershirt and long jeans, thoroughly covering her good figure:
"This situation... I don't even know how to explain it to my Father-in-Law."
Qiao Yunran slightly lowered her head, her eyes cast down, and said, "You don't need to worry about that. I will call them later and explain everything clearly."
Cao Pingao sat down next to her, scratching the back of his head:
"I'm sorry about last night. I was holding you but calling out Yueran's name."
Qiao Yunran turned her face away slightly and whispered, "It's fine. This is all my fault. I shouldn't have shirked my responsibility from the start."
Suddenly, a layer of faint yellow light appeared around Qiao Yunran—
[Minor Infidelity Risk Warning. Breeding target Qiao Yunran's loyalty to the host is too low: 29%]
[Although Breeding Target Qiao Yunran has good upbringing and strict moral standards, her favorability toward Sun Feng is high.
Under extreme circumstances (such as intoxication, loneliness, emotional vulnerability, etc.), there is still a low possibility of infidelity.]
"Um---" Qiao Yunran looked up at Cao Pingao, then quickly lowered her head again:
"You must have heard about Sun Feng and me from Yueran---Since I became your fiancée last night, I want to go see him one last time today and explain everything clearly.
If you are worried about anything, you can send someone to go with me to meet him."
Cao Pingao knew that he must give her enough trust at this moment, otherwise, his relationship with Big Qiao would be even harder to develop smoothly:
"I trust you.
I won't send someone to monitor my fiancée. I trust you to handle your relationship with your ex-boyfriend."
Qiao Yunran looked up at Cao Pingao in surprise, finding that he was looking at her with a relaxed expression and a smile:
"Thank you."
---At the main entrance of Tongque Garden.
Cao Pingao stood next to the driver's seat of the rolls-royce phantom and said to Dian Wei, who was sitting inside:
"Old Dian, from now on, you are Yunran's exclusive driver.
Take her wherever she needs to go.
Protecting her safety is the number one priority. For everything else, just follow her instructions.
Do you understand?"
Dian Wei gripped the steering wheel and said seriously, "I understand, Boss."
"Good." Cao Pingao waved to Qiao Yunran, who was sitting in the back seat. "Call me if anything happens. See you tonight."
"Mm." Qiao Yunran nodded lightly.
Watching the Phantom's taillights disappear into the distance, Cao Pingao activated the real-time, distance-ignoring [Cuckold Warning System] inside him:
"With the System remotely monitoring and Dian Wei protecting her nearby, nothing should go wrong."
At this moment, a white Bentley sped from the other end of the road and screeched to a halt in front of Cao Pingao.
Qiao Yueran, with faint tear streaks on her face, climbed out of the car, staring at him with complex eyes and demanding:
"You bastard, can't you even tell the difference between me and my sister?"
//402//
Chapter 402: Love Develops Over Time (Part 1)
Cao Pingao chuckled, "Yueran, you've really wronged me this time.
Your sister and you have such similar figures, and last night she was wearing your red cheongsam and had a red veil over her head. Even your dad couldn't tell the difference, so how could I?"
Qiao Yueran pouted, "You didn't recognize her at my house, but what about after we came back? Didn't you lift the red veil from my sister's head all night?"
Cao Pingao grinned mischievously, "Not exactly, but before I lifted the red veil, your sister asked me to turn off all the lights in the bedroom first."
"Bedroom... turn off the lights..."
Qiao Yueran's beautiful big eyes were filled with a look of grievance:
"You scoundrel, you already... did that... with my sister last night?"
Cao Pingao nodded, trying hard to suppress a laugh, "In the dark, I didn't know it was your sister, and she didn't say a word or refuse me the whole time."
"You..." Qiao Yueran's tears began to well up in her eyes, "You scoundrel! I gave you my first kiss at the engagement yesterday... so what do we do now?"
Cao Pingao thought to himself: What to do? I want you to move into my Tongque Garden too, but you wouldn't agree now.
He shrugged lightly, "There's nothing to be done. Although we both had the engagement ceremony yesterday, your sister and I already sealed the deal last night. I must be responsible for her."
After hearing Cao Pingao's words, Qiao Yueran realized that compared to what her sister had given, her first kiss seemed less important. Qiao Yueran looked up again at the brand new golden plaque of "Tongque Garden" and, through the open courtyard gate, gazed at the lush garden inside. She suddenly felt a sense of being 'usurped' by her own sister—
Why? Why did my fiancé become my brother-in-law after I woke up?
Why couldn't my sister discuss such a big decision with me first?
Tears of grievance streamed down Qiao Yueran's delicate, fair face.
Seeing this, Cao Pingao felt a pang of heartache and quickly pulled out a tissue to wipe her tears.
Qiao Yueran turned her head, dodging his hand, and said with a firm tone:
"Big scoundrel, you must take good care of my sister, or I'll never let you off the hook!"
With that, she lowered her head, got into her white Bentley, and drove away.
---Zhongnan Road, Jiangnan District.
In a street-facing booth at a coffee shop, Qiao Yunran and Sun Feng sat opposite each other.
"Yunran, you've lost weight again since I last saw you."
Seeing Qiao Yunran looking down, not meeting his gaze or speaking, Sun Feng reached across the table, wanting to hold his Girlfriend's fair hand.
But as soon as his hand touched the back of Qiao Yunran's hand, she instantly pulled both her hands back.
Sun Feng looked surprised, "Yunran, what's wrong?"
Qiao Yunran looked up, her eyes a mix of sadness and determination:
"Sun Feng, let's break up."
Sun Feng: "---"
"No, I don't agree!"
"If you don't want to break up with me, then why didn't you find a way for our two families' companies to cooperate?" Qiao Yunran retorted, her eyes red.
Sun Feng paused, then said with a look of shame, "I tried, but my dad's conditions were always unacceptable to your dad.
Yunran, I'm the head of the Dongwu Group's Jiangcheng branch. I must prioritize the Dongwu Group's business interests—I truly didn't mean to deceive you."
"I don't blame you."
Qiao Yunran said softly, "I know you worked hard to gain your father's approval, and in your position, there are things you have to do.
Since you chose your career over me, and I'm already engaged to Cao Pingao—"
"Cao Pingao? Cao Pingao, the chairman of the Cao Wei Group?" Sun Feng's eyes widened instantly:
"Yunran, you can't marry him! He's notoriously unfaithful; rumor has it he has over a dozen mistresses and seven or eight children!"
Two crystal tears slid down Qiao Yunran's cheeks: "If I don't marry him, then my sister Yueran will—I've said all I need to say. Let's not meet again or contact each other anymore."
Qiao Yunran wiped her tears, then resolutely stood up and walked out.
Sun Feng, unwilling to give up, quickly stood up as well and grabbed her arm from behind:
"Yunran, why don't we elope? Let's leave Jiangcheng together!"
Qiao Yunran turned to look at him and asked:
"Can you bear to give up the future and opportunities you've worked so hard for?"
"I..." Sun Feng's gaze wavered.
The last glimmer of hope in Qiao Yunran's eyes extinguished:
"I wish you success in your career. Goodbye."
---That afternoon.
After leaving the company, Cao Pingao didn't go directly back to the Donghu Bay villa area. Instead, he took a car to his'separate residence' outside.
As soon as he entered the villa gate of Tongque Garden, two young maids waiting in the foyer immediately came forward to help Boss Cao take off his wool coat.
"Where is Miss Qiao?"
One of the maids replied deferentially, "Miss Qiao is resting in her room upstairs."
Cao Pingao then beckoned to Dian Wei, who was standing nearby. Dian Wei quickly stepped forward and reported in a low voice:
"This morning, Miss Qiao first went to meet her ex-boyfriend. They chatted for about 30 minutes at a coffee shop on Zhongnan Road.
After that, Miss Qiao asked me to drive her to Jiangcheng Conservatory of Music for work.
In the afternoon, after her classes, she took my car to go home as usual.
Additionally, on the way back, she made a detour to a pharmacy."
Cao Pingao raised an eyebrow, "A pharmacy? Is she feeling unwell?"
Dian Wei hesitated for a second, then lowered his voice and said, "Miss Qiao bought emergency contraception."
Cao Pingao was first stunned, then couldn't help but laugh wryly: Doesn't want to have my Little Baby? That's not up to you.
"I understand."
He patted Dian Wei's shoulder, then walked towards the dining room on the first floor, telling the maid beside him, "Tell Miss Qiao to come down and have dinner with me."
Maid: "Yes, Boss."
---Soon, the maid who went upstairs to call her came back to the dining room alone:
"Boss, Miss Qiao said she has no appetite tonight and won't be eating."
"Hmm."
Cao Pingao didn't even lift his head, continuing to eat calmly. After he had his fill, he wiped his mouth, then leisurely walked upstairs to the second floor, pushed open the door, and entered the bedroom—
He saw Qiao Yunran, with long hair draped over her shoulders, wearing a white undershirt and tight jeans, sitting in an armchair by the window, lost in thought.
Cao Pingao plopped down opposite her and teased, "Thinking about your ex-boyfriend?"
Qiao Yunran's gaze flickered away, "I didn't—"
Cao Pingao grinned, "No need to deny it so quickly.
After all, you two have had so many years of feelings. I can give you some time to slowly forget him."
Qiao Yunran looked at him with some surprise, "You don't mind?"
"Of course I mind."
Cao Pingao smiled meaningfully, "I don't have a habit of being a cuckold. If my fiancée is always thinking about other men, of course I'll be unhappy."
Qiao Yunran lowered her head slightly, a little embarrassed, "I'm sorry~"
"No need to apologize." Cao Pingao suddenly stood up, reached out, and scooped up Qiao Yunran, who was sitting with her head bowed, into his arms.
"Oh my~ What are you doing~"
"I'm your fiancé, what do you think I want to do?"
Qiao Yunran's pretty face flushed, "But I haven't showered yet~"
Cao Pingao smirked, "It's fine, I'll try it 'original' today."